How do substitutions work at the table?

Who asks (Art. 19.3): only the substitute, not the coach. The substitute comes to the scorer's table and asks clearly, using the conventional hand sign, or sits on the substitution chair ready to play.

When the timer sounds the signal: as soon as a substitution opportunity starts. That is:

• for both teams, when the ball becomes dead, the game clock is stopped and the referee has finished communicating with the table;
• for both teams, after a successful last free throw;
• for the non-scoring team, after a goal when the game clock shows 2:00 or less in the 4th quarter or overtime.

The opportunity ends when the ball is at the disposal of a player for a throw-in or a first free throw. A request can be cancelled only before the timer's signal sounds. The timer's signal does not stop the clock or make the ball dead.

Rules to watch:

• In the last 2:00 of the 4th quarter and overtime, the scoring team may not substitute after a successful goal, unless a referee has stopped the game.
• A player who has just come in, or just gone out, cannot leave or re-enter until the ball becomes dead again after a game clock running period. The exceptions are when the team is reduced to fewer than 5 players, or a correctable-error free-throw shooter is on the bench.
• A player who receives treatment or assistance must be substituted, unless the team would be left with fewer than 5.
• A player with 5 fouls, or who has been disqualified, must be replaced within 30 seconds.
• During a time-out, or an interval other than half-time, the substitute must report to the timer before entering.

Scoresheet: draw a small 'x' (not circled) in the 'Player in' column the first time a substitute enters the game.